A NEGRO VOLUNTEER SONG
Air – “Host Up the Flag”
(The following song was written by a private in the 54th (colored) Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer, and has been sent to us for publication, by a friend of the regiment):
Fremont told them, when it first begun,
How to save the Union, and the way it should be done;
But Kentucky swore so hard, and old Abe he had his fears,
Till every hope was lost but the colored volunteers.
Chorus: O, give us a flag, all free without a slave,
We’ll fight to defend it, as our Fathers did so brave.
The gallant Comp’ny “A” will make the rebels dance
And we’ll stand by the Union if we only have a chance.
McClellan went to Richmond with two hundred thousand brave;
He said: “keep back the niggers,” and the Union he would save.
Little Mac he had his way – still the Union is in tears –
Now they call for the help of the colored volunteers.
Chorus: O, give us a flag, &c.
Old Jeff, says he’ll hang us if we dare to meet him armed,
A very big thing, but we are not at all alarmed,
For he has first got to catch us before the way is clear,
And “that is what’s the matter with the colored volunteer.
Chorus: O, give us a flag, &c.
So rally, boys, rally, let us never mind the past;
We had a hard road to travel, but our day is coming fast,
For God is for the right, and we have no need to fear, –
The Union must be save by the colored volunteer.
Chorus: O give us a flag, &c (Liberator, June 19, 1863, pg 4)
